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Pest management
Improperly managed manure can increase the risk of E. coli, other pathogenic bacteria, intestinal worms and insect pests.
Keeping flies' numbers reduced is an important part of providing comfortable living conditions for your animals. Flies will congregate when manure is present. Fly-control strategies approved for organic management include releasing natural enemies like hister beetles and predatory wasps, keeping barns clean and dry, and using various non-synthetic traps. Many dairy farmers use sticky tape to catch flies in the milking parlor or install walk- through flytraps for the cows to move through on their way into the barn. Bug zappers and jar traps are also permitted, although some farmers (and entomologists) disapprove of bug zappers, since they tend to kill many beneficial insects along with troublesome ones.
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"The main thing [dairy] farmers worry about during transition is dry-cow treatment, but what they should really be worried about is fly control."
~Peter Miller
Producer Services Organic Valley |
